The wealth Yao had acquired was swiftly transmuted into tangible power. This meant Gene Pool Primordial Solutions and Genetic Blood, meticulously allocated into three distinct projects.
Project 1: Gene Tree - Second Sequence. Current inventory: 3,000 S2 Crystals (over a thousand purchased with Blue Coins), the Insectoid Dragon-Armored Stinger Queen Genetic Blood, and the Botanical Dragon-Scale Grass King Genetic Blood (purchased for 10 million Blue Coins).
Project 2: Thousand Birds Returning to the River - Infinite Flow Refinement. Resources: 28 Minor Celestial Scripts + the 'Thousand Birds Returning to the River' Principle Tome.
Project 3: Green to Blue Blood Conversion. Gene Pool preparations ready.
Project 1 would flow directly into Project 3, while Project 2 would commence simultaneously.
Truth be told, it wasn't for lack of trying that she hadn't begun deciphering the 'Thousand Birds' tome. She had attempted multiple times, only to hit a wall of incomprehension. The gap in aptitude was simply too vast. The tome's Violet-grade nature seemed to scoff at her current level of understanding in that particular domain. Likely, only prodigies like Wei Mingtang could even scratch the surface of such a text.
Frustrated but pragmatic, she channeled her efforts into Field Fusion. She had achieved pairwise fusion between all four Fields. The next step—trinary fusion—remained elusive, a barrier she could perceive but not yet breach. It was a matter of time and persistence. In contrast, the Violet-grade tome felt like a distant, unreachable star.
Worse than an Orange-grade Principle Stone, she thought with a mix of irritation and resignation. Her innate talent simply wasn't cooperating. External forces would have to bridge the gap. The Minor Celestial Scripts might not be enough, but she had the Order Fragment. Perhaps thatwould be the key.
Her plan was methodical. Three hours in, 1,843 S2 crystals had been consumed, igniting the eighth branch of her Gene Tree. The ninth remained. She had S2 to spare and spent them without a flicker of regret, deliberately targeting high-probability failure nodes to saturate the tree's branches with residual energy. Only when the genetic channels of both the first and second sequences were brimming did she deliver the final, decisive infusion.
Hummm.
The ninth branch blazed to life. At the moment the Second Sequence achieved full luminous connection, she introduced the two Genetic Blood samples simultaneously.
In alchemical-gene theory, the Dragon-Scale Grass King and Dragon-Armored Stinger Queen bloodlines were complementary. The Stingers' primordial evolution depended on consuming Dragon-Scale Grass; they were symbiotic organisms. Yao was no master of this school, but months at East Glory had expanded her knowledge. Now, she was simply burning wealth to apply it.
She watched as the Stinger blood, immersed in the melted golden solution of the Grass King, seemed to breathe, transforming into an arcane essence that seeped into the Gene Tree's network. She sought not the Stinger itself, but its legendary chitinous armor natural talent.
Seven minutes later, she observed all eighteen branches of her first and second sequences now adorned with a delicate, shimmering tracery of golden dragon-scale patterns. Simultaneously, a torrent of raw, physical power surged through her, far exceeding her expectations. A glance at her status confirmed it: her defensive attributes across the board had skyrocketed.
She didn't rush to manifest her Second Sequence ability. Instead, she used this peak moment to launch the final assault on the Blue Blood barrier.
As she pushed, the Order Fragment hidden within her Gene Tree emitted a soft, pervasive radiance, washing over the entire tree structure.
To her astonishment, her consciousness was drawn into a profound, infinite void. Here, strands of Order wove and stabilized the very fabric of the cosmos. She was but a mote of dust within it. It's working. The Order Fragment is influencing my genes, and my genes are elevating my aptitude!
Seizing this transcendent state of enlightenment, she consumed all remaining Minor Celestial Scripts. Within this rarefied mental clarity, she attacked the twin puzzles: the 'Thousand Birds Returning to the River' and Trinary Field Fusion…
Eighteen hours later.
Ripples disturbed the placid surface of the self-constructed Gene Pool in her residence.
Downstairs in the courtyard, Lange was tending to flowers, one hand resting lightly on her abdomen. The blossoms trembled under the gentle stream of water. Her communicator chimed—a call from her younger sister, voice bright and pleading, begging her to go shopping.
Not everyone could test into the Four Great Academies. Even children of the four Orange-Blood families sometimes failed. The Fu siblings were no exception, though they had secured places in other top provincial institutes within Beluke City. Free from exams, her sisters were like wild horses unleashed, eager to drag their older siblings along.
Lange glanced back at the sealed door of the second-floor training room and softly declined, citing her pregnancy as an inconvenient reason to venture out.
"Oh, right! I forgot! Okay, I'll buy some clothes and snacks for you and bring them to the academy! Oh, what does brother-in-law like? We want to get him a gift!"
The Fu family's opinion of their 'bargain' son-in-law had warmed considerably. The younger generation genuinely seemed to like him.
Lange sensed this but rarely brought him home, using the perfect excuses of cultivation and busy schedules. But gifts… While she maintained a careful, transactional distance, it felt wrong to feign ignorance of his preferences for the younger ones.
The problem was, she truly didn't know. Suggest money?"He's not particular. Whatever you think is fine will be appreciated."
"Great! We'll definitely surprise him!"
Meanwhile, at a high-end mall, a cluster of strikingly beautiful Fu sisters huddled in debate. One suddenly gasped, eyes lighting up. "I know what brother-in-law likes best!"
The others leaned in, curious.
Blushing furiously, she pointed discretely at a storefront.
The others followed her gaze, their cheeks turning similar shades of pink. Giggling and nudging each other, they eventually mustered the courage to enter.
So embarrassing! We're not even eighteen!
But inside… it was a wonderland of delicate, sensuous lingerie.
Ahhh!
So… alluring.
"Hurry, hurry! We'll just buy one set and leave!"
"I'm trying! Don't push!"
"Big sister likes silver and lavender, right?"
"This one! This style! And this size…"
"How do you knowher size?"
"We bathed together once! Her figure is amazing. She'd look incredible in this."
"Brother-in-law would definitely lo—mmph!" The youngest was swiftly muffled by an older sister.
But then a dilemma arose. Different sisters favored different styles.
"Should we… buy them all?"
"Actually, maybe it doesn't need to be toosexy. Sister herself is captivating. These are just accessories. Maybe something elegant… more mysterious?"
"Yes! This one! And that! Wrap them up!"
"And this one too…!"
Why choose?
A smiling sales associate approached, only to find the group of obviously wealthy young noblewomen, who a minute ago were shyly blushing, now blushing just as fiercely… but on a shopping spree. They seemed to have reached the pinnacle of life.
Unaware of her sisters' endeavors, Lange ended the call, only to receive another notification. Guests from an allied family in another province had arrived.
Back in the Gene Pool, the water's surface shimmered. Miniature golden birds, mere constructs of light and energy, skimmed and danced across the ripples, their flight paths tracing ancient, mysterious totem. Strands of Order pulsed, guiding the flow of her blood, now a deep, potent blue. Within this current, stunning violet orchids seemed to bloom, intertwining with the avian patterns to form a breathtaking, living tapestry—a landscape of a thousand birds amidst demonic orchids.
A hand emerged from the water, gripping the pool's edge. Yao (in Oxus's form) rose, water streaming down skin that seemed to hum with new power. Hair, dark and sleek, clung to her face. Her eyes still glowed with activated Ocular power: the left a silver whirlpool, the right etched with intricate blue orchid patterns.
She took a shallow breath. Through her left eye, she perceived the flow of all spiritual energy in the room. Through her right, she felt a fierce, predatory urge—the Xie family's Spirit Orchid Eye's offensive abilities had finally awakened.
If she wished, she could now, in her Blue-Blood ignited state, bolstered by dragon-scale pattern and her medal's soul armor, face that miserly, unfortunate Attendant. Her Infinite Flow would ensure she wouldn't lose, and with her palm's awakened different-colored eyes and its 'Probabilistic God-Slaying,' coupled with the orchid-beams from her eyes… she could kill an Attendant. At least that one. She wouldn't even be injured. This was her assessment.
Her approximate stats now were:
Level: 45
Spiritual Energy: 1.92 million (greatly influenced by the Psychic Ocular)
Strength: 1.85 million
Constitution: 2.2 million
Agility: 2.5 million
Spirit Orchid Eye: Insight, Invisibility, Stun, Attack.
Psychic Ocular: Spiritual World Penetration/Insight, Probabilistic God-Slaying.
First Sequence Manifestation: Golden Radiance Rakshasa Vine Tendrils.
Second Sequence Manifestation: Aberrant Wings.
Principles: 'Thousand Birds Returning to the River' Infinite Flow proficiency 100%. Trinary Field Fusion achieved.
Aberrant Wings…She focused, and from the inner base of her primary wings, a second pair of membranes, thin and translucent as cicada wings, unfurled. An insectoid trait.
Aberrant Wings: Secondary wing manifestation. Three states: 1) Speed: Quadruple flight velocity. 2) Armor: Greatly enhances dorsal defense. 3) Attack: Can be used for melee combat or detached for ranged assaults (extremely energy-intensive, ultimate skill).
Factoring in Pet Merge, Blue-Blood ignition, and other buffs, her average attributes could surge to 4 million. She had finally closed the gap in level, base stats, and spiritual power with the top five contenders of the Four Academies. Head-on confrontations would now hinge on genetic talent, Principles, Sequence abilities, and pet support.
She felt a surge of triumph, quickly tempered by awe. She knew this body's genetic limits. Even with ample resources enabling the Blue Blood transition, it should nothave been enough to awaken the Orchid Eye's offensive prowess. The Order Fragment was enhancing her genes, perhaps even repairing deficiencies in the Xie bloodline. "Given time, it might not just perfect the Orchid Gene… it could cause a mutation." The ceiling for the Orchid Gene wasn't just Orange-Blood; ancestral records hinted at a Violet-Blood breakthrough.
She had finally forged this mediocre body into a hand that could, at least within Beluke Province, be considered a royal flush. "Once I optimize Yao's body and achieve Assimilation… thenI'll have true footing in this world."
Checking the time: August 31st, 9:00 AM. Thirteen hours remained in the assessment period.
Exiting, she found the living room and courtyard empty. Lange was likely in her room. Passing the embroidery table, Yao noticed a new, blank canvas stretched on the frame. Beside it lay a stack of finished pieces. Picking one up casually, she examined it.
A night scene. A dense forest. A tranquil stream. It evoked peace and serenity.
But Yao's gaze fixed on the stream. It was… empty. No thread defined the water. Yet spools of red thread lay nearby. Lange had prepared the color but left it unused.
Yao placed the embroidery down, leaning on the table, a finger pressed to her lips in thought. Perhaps Lange's inner turmoil had never truly healed. After a long moment, she rotated the piece 180 degrees.
The image transformed. The serene landscape inverted into a scene of mangled, twisted corpses. Rocks, trees, shrubbery—their curves now suggested dismembered limbs. These fragments formed, in an abstract, horrifying way, the contorted, hate-filled face of a woman. The eyes, deep sockets, held what should have been blooming flowers, but they were inverted, weeping tears of blood.
Yao picked up another. Then another. All identical. Perfect, stitch-by-stitch replicas. This wasn't practice. It was repetition. A recurring nightmare captured in silk and thread.
Finally frowning, she turned to fetch water. In the corner, she saw the pile of delivery boxes—maternal and infant supplies she'd ordered. Lange never touched them, leaving each neatly stacked for Yao to handle. But Yao's enhanced perception caught faint traces of pollen on the top box, bearing overlapping fingerprints. A hand, dusted with pollen from the garden, had picked it up… put it down… picked it up again. Hesitating. Ultimately, it was left unopened. The label on the box read: Infant clothing, 0-3 months.
Yao poured herself water, pulled out her communicator, her finger hovering over a contact. Finally, she didn't call. She drank the water slowly, returned to the embroidery, carefully replaced everything exactly as she found it, erased any trace of her presence, and left.
The Trial Towers. Few shared Yao's habit of waiting until the last moment. The five towers were time-consuming, and most completed their attempts within the first few days, reserving the final day for rest. Today was even quieter than usual. Something going on?
Entering the Arcana Tower, she greeted the familiar attendant. "Instant noodles again? Does East Glory pay you that poorly?"
"Hey! I just like them," the girl retorted with a smile. "Cutting it close again?"
"Mn. Been busy. Is the academy empty today?"
"Most are at the mall. But Zhao Ranxue and some others might still be testing. Some went to the Golden Mansion."
Yao was surprised. The Golden Mansion was Beluke's premier official guesthouse, a place for banquets hosted by the Provincial Governor's office, the Four Ministries, and the Four Academies—the province's most powerful nine institutions. It was east of the central plaza, facing the Arcane Palace across the vast commercial district.
"Out-of-province guests?"
"Seems like it. All four academies sent people. Even our East Glory. Aren't you going?"
"Has nothing to do with me." Yao shook her head, paid the fee, and entered.
Having missed the second assessment, the academy wouldn't extend S-Class treatment to summon her. It was only logical. She briefly wondered if Lange had gone. The thought was fleeting. This world demanded caution; entanglement was best avoided.
Inside the Arcana Tower, she had previously been stuck on the fifth floor. This time… she entered, raised a hand, and annihilated the opponent with a dual-Field fusion.
Fifth Floor: Cleared. Comprehensive Coefficient: 13.0.points +100,000.
Sixth Floor: Cleared with Trinary Field Fusion. Coefficient: 11.0. points+150,000.
Seventh Floor: Cleared with Infinite Flow. Coefficient: 9.0. points +250,000.
Eighth Floor.
The difficulty spiked dramatically. A cold, dark knight astride a Level 65 Blazing Centaur Boss offered a cruel smile. "Insect. This shall be your grave."
Yao felt the Education Bureau designers truly understood how to infuriate students. She wasn't angered. Before the knight could lower his lance, she raised her hand. Infinite Flow cycled, and within the swirling currents, a thousand birds of sharpened energy took flight. Their piercing cries filled the chamber.
It wasn't an instant kill—Infinite Flow prioritized endurance—but it was a relentless, three-minute onslaught.
"Damnation! You've mastered Infinite Flow and Field Fusion! You are a formidable insect!"
With a final thud, he fell.
Eighth Floor: Cleared. Coefficient: 7.0. points +400,000.
Standing unharmed within the fading energy vortex, Yao wore a strange expression. The designer is really something. Even in defeat, he has to get a dig in. Probably the same person who designed the academy entrance exam's 'special' questions. All inner thoughts or feelings like a honeycomb, morality in the negatives.
Ninth Floor. The moment she entered, Yao's heart skipped a beat. A Level 50 figure in orange robes. A downgrade in level, but… an Orange-Blood. That meant noble-grade genetic talents and abilities. And nobles rarely lacked for potent Principles.
This designer… is truly a dog.
The orange-robed figure, exuding aristocratic arrogance, offered no taunts. He simply raised his staff. Behind him, the five elemental Fields—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth—materialized with a deafening roar, each already fused in sets of three.
Yao took a deep breath. While she could now freely combine her three Fields, her opponent commanded five, each more potent and complex, creating a suppressive, interlocking system. His path wasn't Infinite Flow, but a flawless, seamless Five-Element Synergy, where elements complemented and amplified each other, boasting terrifying explosive potential.
Now, it was a battle of attrition.
BOOM!
Their Fields collided. Killing intent locked onto killing intent. Yao's pupils began to swirl with light. Pure Arcana wouldn't suffice. This opponent was too strong.
While Yao battled in the ninth floor, the news that "Oxus is testing!" spread like wildfire through Dongguan Academy, then to the other three academies and the mall.
In a bubble tea shop, students refreshed the points leaderboards, eager to see Oxus's score. "The final annual ranking looks at all four quarterly results. He's definitely out of that race, missing one. But for this quarter's ranking alone, with his progress, he should smash into Dongguan's S-Class."
"Not necessarily. I heard his Xie family genetic inheritance isn't that high, and his Principle aptitude is far below Wei Mingtang's. Early growth might be fast due to resources, but later progress will plateau."
"Nonsense. That's just sour grapes. Strategy is his real talent. And about Principles? Sure, innate aptitude matters. But think—someone with 'mediocre' genes and aptitude progressed this far in a year since returning from X5. Has his growth curve really peaked? I've studied his path. It's long-term strategy. Elemental affinity matching, Principle combinations, genetic development planning… he's outmaneuvered many nobles. Poor foundation can be mitigated with resource allocation and long-term planning. As long as the upper ceiling isn't sealed, his growth curve will only steepen."
This analytical student from North Frontier, a Class A talent specializing in projections, sketched a curve on a napkin. "By my calculations, he's at the midpoint of an exponential rise. Not even close to the peak."
His argument held weight. The group fell silent, broken only by a gasp. "Uh, senior… your curve might be right. Look at his score."
All eyes shot to the displayed leaderboard. Oxus's score, which had been zero moments ago, now showed 100,000.
"Another alchemy project? How? Boiling water?"
Before his 'cousin' in Dongguan could reply, the score jumped again: 250,000. A minute had passed.
They stared at each other. "A second project? In a minute? What are they brewing over there, instant success soup?"
Two minutes later, a girl with a bob haircut, chewing her straw, whispered, "A third project? Must be a pressure cooker recipe. Five minutes." She, who spent days grinding a single floor, couldn't fathom clearing them in minutes.
"Another 250,000. He's at 500,000 now. Rank 29 in Dongguan." Scores were inflating with each cycle.
"He's a dark horse. Alchemy is his ace. It lets him resource his way to power. That has more long-term potential than pure talent." Money was a permanent craft.
They chattered until, a dozen minutes later, their communicators all buzzed wildly. Silence fell again.
500,000 had become 900,000.
They stared, dumbfounded. What kind of alchemy is this?!
Golden Mansion. The main hall hosted the upper echelons of eight academies—four from Beluke, four from Dongke. The Deans and Vice-Deans occupied one table, a picture of refined, high-stakes elegance. Among them, the youngest, Dean Sang Jiu of Dongguan, stood out like a solitary blossom. Not that she was the only woman—an elder, dignified and formidable Dean held her own. But Sang Jiu was reticent, her aura cool and soft, seemingly a patient granddaughter amidst bickering elders.
There was also a 'young grandson'—Dean Liu Sanxiang of Hualuo Academy, late thirties but youthful, with a boyish handsomeness that belied his reputation for thunderous methods. He occasionally engaged Sang Jiu in conversation, smiling amiably, sparking thoughts of poetic courtship. But the eight Deans knew these two youngest were locked in silent conflict. Youthful promotion meant monstrous potential, and the Ministry of Education had limited resources. Two candidates, one spot.
This inter-provincial meeting was, in essence, an opening move by Liu Sanxiang, targeting Beluke's top academy, West Jin, to block resources and snipe at Sang Jiu's ascent.
Sang Jiu's silence was her shield against his duplicitous pleasantries. She knew he came prepared.
If the Deans were seasoned foxes, the faculty table was a den of razor-tongued badgers. Toasts were weapons, consumed with the fervor of a siege. Ye Suran and other combat-focused teachers led the charge, toasting with the aggression of a mugging. Drink or die!
The atmosphere among the S-Class students of both provinces was even less diplomatic.
Currently, the top Beluke scorer was Frolosius at 3 million points, followed by Motorola, Xie Fuyun, Yun Zhuzhu, Zhao Ranxue… all between 1 and 2 million. Beluke was not a strong province. Dongke was similar geographically, but historically blessed. The Dongke Clan, the province's leading Orange-Blood family, had been granted the title 'Marquis of Dongli' for guarding the region since the empire's founding. A decade ago, a daughter of staggering beauty and talent married an imperial prince, bore a heir, and with royal resources, ascended to Violet-Blood. The entire clan benefited, rising to Violet-Blood status. With royal backing, Dongke's development had been stable, its gap with Beluke widening. Dongke boasted fivestudents over 3 million积分.
The power of a Violet-Blood family was evident. And their talent pool below the top was deeper.
Seated across long tables, the tension was palpable, the Dongke side radiating superior confidence.
Frolosius and his peers weren't cowed. This was just verbal sparring.
"Carolodiel, a shame you missed the last assessment. Not that it would have helped much. This round's progress seems… modest," a Dongke student, 'Chen Gou' (Dog Chen), taunted.
Carolodiel smirked. "So eager? We've got our whole lives ahead. Unless you're planning to kick the bucket tomorrow, what's the rush? I, for one, hope you live a long, longlife, Brother Dog."
"Ah, so you docare for me! I'll have my grandfather fetch the betrothal geese tonight! Being my long-lived wife wouldn't be a loss!"
"Actually, I think I'd prefer to marry the geese."
"…" Chen Gou fumed. Others stifled laughs, tensions simmering.
Dongke's fifth-ranked, Jian Qin, drawled, "Why so tense? We're just asking. It's not like we're here to fight." A pause. "Not that there's much point."
The barb struck a nerve. Wuxu, Nan Gong Hupo, and others sneered, ready to retort.
But Chen Gou, stung by Carolodiel, shifted targets. "Jiang Yousi, I heard you reached the ninth floor of the Arcana Tower. Still didn't break 3 million?"
Jiang Yousi was engrossed in his communicator, scrolling through information about a certain clinic and a flower shop. Czech poked him with a sword tip. He glanced at the venomous little mouse, then back at Chen Gou. "Didn't break it. Not strong enough." His calm acceptance, devoid of shame, robbed Chen Gou of any satisfaction.
Annoying. These Beluke people are either sticky or deadwood.
The atmosphere grew awkward. Yuqin, drowning in Principle theories and checking the rankings—the youngest and most time-starved—was ignored, being last. The real focuses were Jiang Yousi, Frolosius, and… Wei Mingtang.
"Wei Mingtang. That's you?" The speaker was the top-ranked Dongke student, Wu Gang. His gaze fell on the aloof girl in a black shirt, lounging in an inconspicuous seat, scrolling through her device.
Time had changed them. Yuqin had grown taller. Yun Baobao remained petite. But Wei Mingtang… already tall and slender, her cold and with clearly defined skeletal features had sharpened. She gave the impression of walking into a bottomless night—chilling, fathomless. And then, as the saying went, you'd see a flower blooming in that darkness, stunningly beautiful yet utterly heartless, its colors saturated like dripping blood. A mesmerizing light you'd desperately chase, only to plunge into a pit before reaching it. You wouldn't climb out. You'd die there, at the closest yet farthest distance from her.
She looked up. At her age, only two years older than Yuqin, she regarded the attention with detached indifference, her fingers still tapping her screen. "Mn."
Wu Gang had done his homework. "Ninth floor Arcana Tower, eighth floor Strategy Tower, 2.8 million points, first in Dongguan, Dean Sang's only disciple." His tone was polite, almost elegant. "I'm tackling a dungeon soon. Six-person team. One spot open. Interested?"
He's poaching!The Beluke students' expressions tightened. Even Frolosius narrowed his eyes, his gaze flicking to Wei Mingtang.
She had looked up out of courtesy but had already glanced back down, looking every bit the screen-addicted youth, none of her usual mature poise. Now, she looked up again, a slight frown betraying impatience to those who knew her. "Apologies. I have prior arrangements." Her tone, polite yet distant, mirrored someone else's.
Wu Gang seemed genuinely interested. Dongke's top academy had analyzed Beluke thoroughly. The most formidable, the one to watch, wasn't Frolosius or the infamous Oxus, but Wei Mingtang.
"A dungeon plan?"
"Essentially."
"Have a team?"
"Invited someone. Was refused."
Her words were oil on water. The table stirred. Even Yuqin looked up.
Chen Gou couldn't help himself. "Someone from your province? Who's worthy?"
They'd done their research. Wei Mingtang's potential was why their Dean had quietly tasked them with recruitment or, failing that, probing and suppression. Beluke must remain beneath Dongke. Why? Because Dongke had Violet-Blood power. Beluke did not.
After his jab, Wu Gang's silent twin sister, Wu Hao, ranked second in Dongke, who hadn't spoken until now, set down her water glass, removed her glasses, and rubbed her temples. "It's the one who just scored 900,000 points in twenty minutes, isn't it? Oxus."
She paused. "No. 1.7 million now." Her voice was measured. "Our intelligence was lacking. But it seems your own academy doesn't know him well either. Judging by the frequency and amount of points gain, he's either in the Arcana or Strategy Tower. If it's the Arcana Tower… he's cleared from floor five to floor nine in under half an hour."
"Currently on the tenth."
Her words carried weight. Both sides fell silent. Chen Gou stroked his chin. "Grinding that hard? Is this Xie guy an excavator? Or is he your secret weapon, Beluke? Skipped the second assessment on purpose, huh? How sneaky."
Who's sneaky?The Beluke students looked aggrieved.
Because Oxus's score had just backstab into fourth place in Dongguan. Next was a brutal overtaking.
Carolodiel, now third, looked displeased. "You knew he was this strong?" he asked Wei Mingtang.
Wei Mingtang almost said no. But she hesitated, then stood. "No. But I did know he has always been… adequate. I'm also fine with him refusing me. Excuse me, I need to purchase some things." Knowing she was a target, leaving was the best way to avoid trouble. And she really did need to buy something.
Her departure deflated the tension. The fireworks fizzled.
Then, news arrived. Oxus had exited the Arcana Tower, looking battered and bloodied. No surprise. The tenth-floor opponent was a Level 65 Orange-Blood. Only one person across both provinces had cleared it.
Wu Gang's fingers drummed the table, his gaze lingering where Wei Mingtang had left. "We'll wait for his Strategy Tower results."
They didn't have to wait long. The locked-on score began skyrocketing.
Fourth Floor: +80,000.
Fifth: +150,000.
Sixth: +240,000.
Seventh: +450,000.
His score blasted from 1.7 million to 2.62 million, surpassing Carolodiel, Zhao Ranxue, closing in on Wei Mingtang.
Eighth Floor.
Could he clear it?
Dongguan students were almost certain. "That old sly dog has always been stronger in strategy than raw power. With his stats now, of course he'll clear the eighth."
To Dongke, this was bad news. One Wei Mingtang was trouble enough. Now an Oxus?
Wu Gang interlaced his fingers,沉思. Where was the flaw? Genes and aptitude were fixed. How had he broken through so dramatically? Resources? The Xie family wouldn't provide. Zhou Miao? Or… He thought of Wei Mingtang and Oxus's early alchemy scores. Ah. There's an alchemical trade between them. Oxus's rise truly does rely on alchemical talent. Perhaps it even surpasses his inherited Orchid talent.In a way, Oxus might be more valuable to recruit than Wei Mingtang. But it depended on how far he could go.
Eighteen seconds later. Even the faculty table erupted.
Strategy Tower, Eighth Floor: Cleared. +800,000积分.
Total: 3.42 million.
He had overtaken Frolosius, claiming first place for the third quarter across all four academies.
The Dean's table remained a picture of elegance, but a flicker of confusion passed through Sang Jiu's eyes. Her fingers moved, sending a message to a contact saved as "Psychopath": Have you been giving your cheap nephew backdoor privileges every night?
The perpetually busy recipient, who usually ignored messages, replied instantly: Who is this?
Sang Jiu: "…"
A follow-up arrived: Oh, it's you, Dean. Such salacious language from an intellectual?
Salacious? What had she said? Night… backdoor…Realization dawned. Sang Jiu's cool demeanor cracked with exasperation. Before she could recover…
BANG!
A sound like a gunshot made all eight Deans jump. Sang Jiu's hand twitched. She turned to see Ye Suran at the faculty table, having just slammed a bottle open on the table edge, one foot planted on her chair. "Come on! Who dares chug with me?! That's my student! Hahaha!"
"Is he awesome or what?! Just watch! In a few days, he'll soar into the sky! A blaze of glory! Ka-boom!"
Soar? More like a firecracker!
Both provinces' representatives fell silent.
But at least the score had finally stopped climbing…
"Two towers done. He can't go higher. If he clears Arcana Tenth and Strategy Ninth for another few hundred thousand, I'll eat this table!" This from Chen Dao of South Dawn.
Carolodiel's voice floated over, light as a feather. "Seems there are three more towers. I'm already surpassed, so I'm not worried. But for the rest of our province… no need to rush now, right?"
Chen Dao: "…"
The others: "…"
Frolosius laughed, a genuine smile aimed at the opposite table.
Let them sweat.